Lutherans Intensify Support for Global Hunger Relief, Development
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will add to its support for hunger relief and development worldwide with surplus income from the church's World Hunger Appeal. In 1999, members of the ELCA contributed more than $16 million to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal -- a record...
Christians Reflect on Water, Seeds, Soil During 'Rogation Days'
CHICAGO (ELCA) - "Rogation Days" in May offer Christians an opportunity to reflect on the significance of water, seeds and soil, and the people whose livelihoods depend on these elements. Rogation is a Christian observance the three days before Ascension Day, this year on June 1. Some Christians recognize Rogation...
Lutherans Support People Affected by Fires in New Mexico
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutherans are providing "prayer and emotional support" for people in Los Alamos, Espanola and White Rock, N.M., who are coping with wild fires currently blazing in these areas. "Nearly 22,000 residents of Los Alamos, Espanola and White Rock have been evacuated," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst,...
Lutherans Join Several Groups to Endorse 'Family Farmers' Agenda'
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- At least 36 organizations representing farm, union and religious groups endorsed a "Family Farmers' Five-Point Agenda" for replacing the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, commonly known as the 1996 Farm Bill. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), through its Lutheran Office for Governmental...
ELCA Publishing House Proceeds with New Magazine for Women
COLUMBUS, Ohio (ELCA) -- Augsburg Fortress Publishers, the publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is authorized to spend as much as $500,000 in 2000 to launch its new Christian women's magazine, "Sunday/Monday WOMAN." The executive committee of the publisher's board of trustees authorized the expenditure --...
ELCA Publishing House Board Hears Positive Financial News
COLUMBUS, Ohio (ELCA) -- The board of trustees of Augsburg Fortress Publishers, Minneapolis, heard positive financial news and a series of optimistic plans for the future at its meeting here April 27-29. = =20 The meeting followed a six-month period in which the company reorganized and put a new management...
ELCA Publishing House Introduces New Vice Presidents to Board
COLUMBUS, Ohio (ELCA) -- Two newly appointed vice presidents were introduced to the board of trustees of Augsburg Fortress, the publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), during the board's April 27-29 meeting here. They are Tia Simons, vice president, consumer business group, and Kenneth J. Brokamp,...
'Mosaic' Summer 2000 Edition Focuses on Race and Class Issues
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The summer 2000 edition of MOSAIC, the video magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), focuses on issues related to race and class in the church. Video tapes will be available June 1. When it was formed in 1988, the ELCA established a goal that...
Almquist Re-elected ELCA Bishop of Southeastern Pennsylvania
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Roy G. Almquist, 60, was elected to a second six-year term as bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at its assembly=20 May 5-6 at Friends Quaker Meeting House, Philadelphia. Almquist received 201 -- or 61.5 percent --...
Lutherans Honor James Ford, Chaplain Emeritus of U.S. House
WASHINGTON, D.C. (ELCA) -- The Rev. James D. Ford, chaplain emeritus of the U.S. House of Representatives, and a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was honored May 3 at the Capitol with a breakfast attended by about 70 church and political leaders. "It's been an exciting...
ELCA Develops New Evangelism Strategy for the next Decade
MUNDELEIN, Ill. (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is committed to spreading the "good news of Jesus Christ" around the world, especially in the next decade. About 70 participants gathered to recommend an approach to evangelism, mission and outreach at the ELCA's Evangelism Strategic Planning Consultation held...
Fund to Provide Financial Support for Lutheran Seminary Students
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) recently created a special fund to provide financial support for leadership development in the church. The initial goal of the "Fund for Leaders in Mission" is to raise a $200 million endowment to support tuition costs for the preparation of...
ELCA Seminaries Plan 2000 Commencement Exercises
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The eight seminaries and Texas extension campus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are planning commencement exercises for degree recipients at the close of the 1999-2000 academic year. MAY 12 Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (LTSG), Pa. Place: Church of the Abiding Presence (LTSG Chapel)...
ELCA Commission Supports 'Million Mom March' on Washington
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Commission for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has registered its support for the "Million Mom March" on Washington, D.C., planned for Mother's Day, May 14. The commission's steering committee passed a resolution which drew attention to many of the values it shares...
Lutheran Women Clergy Find Acceptance but Difficult, Incomplete
TECHNY, Ill. (ELCA) -- U.S. Lutheran churches have ordained women as clergy for 30 years. A conference for women "lead" pastors -- senior pastors of large ELCA congregations -- here April 25-27 illustrated that their acceptance has been difficult and not yet complete in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America...
William A. Janson Jr., Former Lutheran Synod Bishop, Dies
CHICAGO (ELCA) The Rev. William A. Janson Jr., who served as the first bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the former Lutheran Church in America, died April 13 in Phoenixville, Pa. He was 77. Services were held April 18 at St. John Lutheran Church, Phoenixville, Pa. A memorial Celebration...
Schoenhals Re-Elected Lutheran Bishop of Arkansas-Oklahoma
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Floyd M. Schoenhals, 59, was elected to a second six-year term as bishop of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at its assembly April 28- 30 in the Great Plains Coliseum, Lawton, Okla. He received 107 of 126 votes cast...
Kanouse New Bishop of ELCA Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Kevin Scott Kanouse, 46, Advent Lutheran Church, Arlington, Texas, was elected bishop of the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at its assembly April 28-30 at the Marriott Quorum Hotel in Addison, Texas. Kanouse was elected April 29 on...
Lutherans Participate in Jubilee 2000/USA Rally
WASHINGTON, D.C. (ELCA) -- An estimated 6,000 people -- including many members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) -- gathered on The Mall here April 9 to rally for Jubilee 2000/USA. The rally was part of an international effort involving religious, labor, environmental, human rights and hunger organizations...
ELCA Faculty Criticizes 'Planned Exceptions' to Full Communion
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The faculty of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C., issued a statement April 20 criticizing suggestions of "planned exceptions" to "Called to Common Mission" (CCM), a proposal of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for "full communion" with The Episcopal Church. Southern is one of the...
